On April 17, 1917, the Acroma pact,[1] was signed by the Italian government (as occupying, colonial power) and Mohammed Idris (head of Senussi). The pact was an ambiguous ceasefire recognizing a de facto authority for Idris in Cyrenaica, while not excluding the overall Italian territorial sovereignty.

Later, an intersection of two Bedouin paths 19 kilometres (12 mi) south of Acroma, assumed strategic importance, and became known by the AlliedcodenameKnightsbridge. The area was the focus of the Battle of Knightsbridge, during June 1942.

Following the war's end, Knightsbridge War Cemetery, containing Allied war dead, was built 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) north of Acroma, near the main road linking Tobruk and Gazala.